Log InRegister
Quick Links : The Mindat ManualThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryMindat Newsletter [Free Download]
Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreContact UsAdvertise on Mindat
Donate to MindatCorporate SponsorshipSponsor a PageSponsored PagesMindat AdvertisersAdvertise on Mindat
Learning CenterWhat is a mineral?The most common minerals on earthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesThe ElementsThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryGeologic Time
Minerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDLocalities Near MeSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryMore Search Options
Search For:
Mineral Name:
Locality Name:
Keyword(s):
 
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
Mining CompaniesStatisticsUsersMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsThe Mindat DirectoryDevice SettingsThe Mineral Quiz
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColorNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography

Formicaite

A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
Hide all sections | Show all sections

About FormicaiteHide

Formula:
Ca(HCOO)2
Colour:
White with bluish tint
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
1
Specific Gravity:
1.9
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Name:
For its chemical composition: the FORMate of CAlcium.
Naturally occurring calcium formate - one of just two such minerals currently known (compare dashkovaite).


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
6954
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:6954:6
GUID
(UUID V4):
c935fb3e-d46e-4ce0-b809-48cd284b5713

IMA Classification of FormicaiteHide

Classification of FormicaiteHide

10.AA.05

10 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
A : Salts of organic acids
A : Formates, Acetates, etc.
Dana 7th ed.:
50.2.3.1

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference
FmcIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of FormicaiteHide

Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
White with bluish tint
Streak:
White
Hardness:
Comment:
H=1 for compact aggregates
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001}
Density:
1.9(1) g/cm3 (Measured)    1.93(2) g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of FormicaiteHide

Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.553 nε = 1.573
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.020
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Low

Chemistry of FormicaiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Ca(HCOO)2

Crystallography of FormicaiteHide

Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
4 2 2 - Trapezohedral
Space Group:
P41 21 2
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.79(4) Å, c = 9.50 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.399
Unit Cell V:
437.99 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
5.54 Å(90)
3.40 Å(100)
3.19 Å(60)
2.859 Å(80)
2.196 Å(70)
1.947 Å(60)
Comments:
Almost identical to that of synthetic Ca β-formiate

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Near-surface Processes
23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47)
High-𝑇 alteration and/or metamorphism
31 : Thermally altered carbonate, phosphate, and iron formations

Type Occurrence of FormicaiteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
Compact cryptocrystalline and colloform masses, and as aggregates in which the crystals are tabular and up to 5 × 30 × 30 µm. Also in a veinlet in skarnified marble.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
A. E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Moscow, Russia.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Hydrothermal veinlets that cut kurchatovite-sakhaite ore at the skarn deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Chukanov, N.V., Malinko, S.V., Lisitsyn, A.E., Dubinchuk, V.T., Kuz'mina, O.V., Zadov, A.E. (1999) Formicaite Ca(HCO2)2, a new mineral. Zapiski Vserossijskogo Mineralogicheskogo Obshchestva: 128(2): 43-47.

Synonyms of FormicaiteHide

Other Language Names for FormicaiteHide

German:Formicait
Spanish:Formicaita

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

10.AA.StanevansiteMg(C2H3O3)2 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
10.AA.JimkrieghiteCa(C2H3O3)2Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca
10.AA.Lianbinite(NH4)(C2H3O3)(C2H4O3)Mon. 2/m : P21/b
10.AA.GleckleriteNa(C2H3O3)Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbcm
10.AA.10DashkovaiteMg(HCOO)2 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
10.AA.20AcetamideCH3CONH2Trig. 3m : R3c
10.AA.25CalclaciteCa(CH3COO)Cl · 5H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
10.AA.30PaceiteCaCu(CH3COO)4 · 6H2OTet. 4/m : I4/m
10.AA.35HoganiteCu(CH3COO)2 · H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
10.AA.40LazaraskeiteCu(C2H3O3)2Mon. 2/m : P21/m
10.AA.45MarchettiiteC5H7N5O3Tric. 1 : P1

Fluorescence of FormicaiteHide

Some specimens have a weak, light bluish luminescence in shortwave ultraviolet light.

Other InformationHide

IR Spectrum:
Absorption bands at 791, 1364, 1380, and 1603 (very strong), 2870 (weak), and 2925 cm–1 (very weak).
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

Internet Links for FormicaiteHide

References for FormicaiteHide

Localities for FormicaiteHide

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

Locality ListHide

- This locality has map coordinates listed. - This locality has estimated coordinates. ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence. ? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. - Good crystals or important locality for species. - World class for species or very significant. (TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Russia (TL)
 
  • Buryatia
    • Yeravninsky District
      • Ozernoe ore cluster
Chukanov et al. (1999) +1 other reference
  • Sakha
    • Polar Yakutia
      • Dogdo River Basin
        • Tas-Khayakhtakh Range
maurice.strahlen.org (2004)
  • Sverdlovsk Oblast
    • Serovsky District
      • Turya river
        • Tur'insk
Chukanov et al. (1999) +1 other reference
USA
 
  • Oregon
    • Lake County
Gunnar Färber - Mineralienliste 1-2018. +2 other references
 
Mineral and/or Locality  
Mindat Discussions Facebook Logo Instagram Logo Discord Logo
Mindat.org is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2024, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: March 28, 2024 23:35:46 Page updated: March 6, 2024 02:05:56
Go to top of page